<PRE><B>Question 464274</B>
1. Let the first number be 2x, the second 2x+2, and the third 2x+4. We write the equation as we read:

{{{2(2x+2)+(1/2)2x=5(2x+4)-141}}}, solving this equation we get:x=25.

Thus, the first number is 2*25=50, the second 2*25+2=52, and the third 2*25+4=54.

2. Let the second number be x, then the largest  number is x+3, and the smallest

number is x-4. Write the equation as we read: x-4+x+x+3=158, solving this equation we get x=53. The largest number is 53+3=56, and the smallest number is
53-4=49.</PRE>